The efficiency of a new anticestode compound, 3,5-dibromo-2'-chloro-4'-isothiocyanato salicylanilide (GUPTA et al. 1980) for mass eradication of hymenolepiasis from rat colonies was assessed in a pilot study. The drug was administered with milk or food. For effective eradication, depending on the size of animals, single or multiple doses of 100 to 500 mg of the drug'kg body-weight, mixed in milk, or 50mg/kg in feed were necessary. Better results were obtained when the compound was given in feed as it ensured effective consumption irrespective of the seasonal variations. The efficacy of the compound was also assessed on cysticcrcoids in intermediate hosts (Tribalium confusum) by feeding them on flour medicated at 5%, l% and 0.1% levels. None of the concentrations killed the larvae or arrested their development.

Comparison of antibody response and antigen recognition was made by ELISA and western-blot analysis in pig experimental infections by T-l and T-3 Spanish Trichinella isolates. Two groups of Iberian pigs were experimentally infected with 150 larvae/kg body weight of GM-1 and C-76 Spanish Trichinella isolates as representatives of T-1 and T-3 gene pools respectively. Antibody levels and antigen recognition were measured on days –14, 0, 6, 16, 20, 27, 34, 49, 63 and 82 after infection by ELISA and western-blotting assays. Antibody response against C-76 infection was significantly delayed and lower than against GM-1. The two Trichinella isolates were indistinguishable, however, by western blotting analysis, although recognition of larval antigens was quantitatively higher than adult ones. Interestingly, the principle larval antigenic components recognized by pigs were those recognized by the monoclonal antisera NIM-M1. Finally, there were no serological patterns indicative of the stage of infection (“antibody windows”) discriminating, for example between early versus late infections.

A serum IgG response to Strongyloides papillosus infection was analysed in rabbits. IgG production was induced against 30–200 kDa larval somatic antigens and 21–160 kDa adult excretory/secretory (ES) antigens at 4 weeks postinfection. No immunoreactivity was detected between sera of infected animals and any proteins of larval ES and adult somatic antigens. Protection against larval challenge infection was investigated in rabbits immunized by primary infection and by intradermal inoculations of larval somatic and adult ES antigens. Primarily infected animals had 90% fewer or less worms from day 2 onwards after challenge, and lower faecal egg outputs after challenge, when compared with those in susceptible animals. Immunization with larval somatic antigens induced effective protection, showing 52.6–81.5% reductions in worm recovery from day 5 onwards after challenge, and lower faecal egg outputs after challenge. Systemic immunization with adult ES antigens failed to protect the animals against challenge. The possibility that resistance to S. papillosus reinfection is performed on the killing of migrating larvae in the early stages of infection is discussed. Systemic immune responses to larval somatic antigens might play an important role in the resistance.

Acanthocheilonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii and Setaria cervi were found to actively synthesize proteins in vitro. Different centrifugation fractions and their TCA-precipitable fractions were assessed for the distribution of newly synthesized proteins. Penicillin and streptomycin inhibited the process in A. viteae. The synthesis in S. cervi was susceptible to puromycin, chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, neomycin and polymyxin B. The process in L. carinii was strongly blocked by puromycin while chloramphenicol had no significant effect.

The reliability of Stoll's dilution egg count technique, Beaver's direct smear technique and Katz's modified thick smear technique were evaluated on patients with ascariasis. Studies revealed that the modified thick smear technique appears to be more reliable and accurate. The use of these three techniques revealed a significant correlation between the number of eggs per gram (e.p.g.) and worm load. Following the introduction of a standardized factor in a study of 30 patients with worm infections, a highly significant correlation was obtained between the e.p.g. and the worm load for all three techniques. The use of a Standardized Factor is recommended for better prediction of the worm burden. The results of this study reveal that a female Ascaris lumbricoides lays an average of 218,094 (range 82,251–365,200) eggs daily. The ratio of male to female A. lumbricoides was 1:1·4

The lipid composition of three batches of single generation cysts of Globodera rostochiensis, stored dry at 4°C for 1,7 and 13 years, comprised 81%, 74% and 53% neutral lipids, 14%, 18% and 27% non-acidic phospholipids and 5%, 8% and 20% free fatty acids, respectively. Lipids in eggs from two batches of G. pallida cysts, stored for 3 and 7 years, comprised 80% and 67% neutral lipids, 15% and 23% non-acidic phospholipids and 5% and 10% free fatty acids, respectively. All batches contained the same fatty acids which were dominated by C18:l, C20:l and C20:4. The fatty acid profiles of hatched J2 of G. rostochiensis from two batches, stored for 1 and 9 years, differed only in their free fatty acid fractions. Thus, while it is not possible to determine the age of cysts by their fatty acid profile, it may be possible to use the relative amounts of the main lipid classes as an indicator of age. Four batches of hatched J2 of G. pallida were investigated, with sample A hatched during the second week in potato root diffusate, B during week 3, C during week 4 and D during weeks 5 and 6 and stored for 3.5 days (on average) after hatching. Total lipid content was 27.2%, 31.5%, 18.5% and 6.3% of the dry weight for A, B, C and D, respectively. In the neutral lipid fraction of D an increase in C18:l and to a lesser extent C18:2 was observed. In the free fatty acid fraction of sample D, the percentages of C18:l, C18:2 and C18:3 were greater but the percentages of C20:3 and C20:4 were smaller compared with sample C. Fresh early hatched J2 of G. rostochiensis were compared with later hatched and stored (for 13 days on average) individuals for their lipid content and fatty acid composition. The lipid content was 26.1% and 11.4% in fresh and stored J2, respectively. Total lipid consisted of 77% and 70% neutral lipid, 18% and 26% non-acidic phospholipid and 6% and 4% free fatty acid in fresh and stored J2, respectively. In the neutral lipid fraction of stored J2 C18:l, C16:0 and C18:0 increased, whereas C20:4, C20:l and C20:3 decreased. Therefore, both neutral lipid and free fatty acid fractions showed changes in their fatty acid profiles after long delayed hatching and/or storage in both PCN species.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different temperatures and humidities on the infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Eighteen dogs (6 groups, n = 3 each) were fed with offal mince harbouring approximately 20,000 protoscolices of E. granulosus of different viabilities. Dogs were infected with E. granulosus protoscolices of: (1) 5% viability at − 10°C and 50% relative humidity (RH); (2) 30% viability at 0°C and 60% RH; (3) 20% viability at +10°C and 65% RH; (4) 15% viability at +30°C and 75% RH; (5) 11% viability at +40°C and 80% RH; (6) 68% viability (control group). Dogs in each group were necropsied at 29–49 days post-infection. Mean intensities of E. granulosus recovered from dogs were 256.7 ± 60.3 in the second group; 32.7 ± 7.1 in the third group; 40.3 ± 15.5 in the fourth group and 1533 ± 513 in the control group. However, no parasites were recovered from the first and fifth groups. Results obtained in the present study show that larval stages could be infective for 1 to 4 weeks during spring, autumn or winter months when maximal temperatures are approximately 0–10°C. In conclusion, cold-storage depots in slaughterhouses and abattoirs where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be kept at − 20°C for 2–3 days, dogs should be properly controlled and adequate control programmes must be established in areas where the disease is endemic.

In water extracts of turf from one of the meadows at this Institute made May and November, 1941, several specimens of a new dorylaimid nematode were obtained. They were noticeable even under low magnification by reason of the elongated mouth spear and the shape of the tail. Females only have been found. Study of freshly-killed and well preserved specimens showed that they belong to the genus Pungentus of Thorne & Swanger (1936). As, however, they do not agree structurally with any of the species described by Thorne & Swanger (l.c.) and by Thorne (1939), a new species is erected for their reception. The worms are named in honour of Dr. Gerald Thorne, who in the two monographs just cited has added so materially to our knowledge of the soil nematodes belonging to the superfamily Dorylaimoidea.

During March, 1950, the writers visited a 15-acre field of mixed oats and vetches near Lechlade, Gloucestershire, because it was reported that the crop was patchy and that both oats and vetches were diseased. Inspection of the field revealed typical “tulip-root” symptoms in the oats, while many of the vetches were severely dwarfed and showed browning of the lower parts of the stems. Subsequent examination of plants in the laboratory showed the presence of large numbers of Ditylenchus dipsaci in the oats and a rather lighter infestation in the vetches; in the latter the eelworms seemed to be associated particularly with the necrotic tissues in the lower parts of the stems. It may also be mentioned that young docks, probably Rumex crispus L., from the same field were found to contain D.dipsaci.

The only account we have of this species of nematode, which is apparently parasitic in the bark of mahogany trees in Barbados, British West Indies, is that given by Cobb (1920). The material forming the basis of his investigations consisted of specimens preserved in formalin which had been sent to him from the Department of Agriculture, Barbados. His description of the adult worms, while being very detailed in certain particulars, gives little information in regard to other anatomical features. In addition, the drawings illustrating his paper show only two views of the head region and the male tail in ventral and lateral aspect. During the past twelve months the writer has had an opportunity of making some observations on this species. A piece of diseased mahogany bark was received in April, 1936 from the Director of the Imperial Mycological Institute, Kew, to whom it had been sent from the Department of Agriculture, Barbados. The bark and scrapings from it were in a preserving fluid of unknown composition and in the sediment at the bottom of the jar numbers of adult worms of both sexes were present. Several of these were picked out, washed in water and transferred to weak glycerine. The capsule containing them was set aside for the glycerine to become concentrated and the worms were finally mounted in this medium.

Cercaria essexensis Khan, 1960 is shown to encyst in freshwater snails and to develop into a new species of Hypoderaeum when fed to pigeons, chickens and ducklings. Different stages in the life history, except the redia and the cercaria which have been described before, are described.

1. The susceptibility of two strains of rats, namely London-hooded and Wistar, to infection with S. mansoni has been investigated

2. Although equal numbers of cercariae penetrated the skin in both strains, recovery of worms was always higher from the London-hooded strain irrespective of the dosage level.

3. In both strains there was a significant relationship between body weight at time of infection and number of worms recovered. The correlation was a negative one, indicating that lighter (younger) rats were more susceptible than heavier (older) rats.

4. A rapid rate of elimination of infection was demonstrated in London-hooded rats between the 4th and 8th week after infection.

Four worms were recovered from the intestine of a Scaly Anteater, Manis temminckii, examined in this Department in August, 1958. They appear to represent a new species for which I propose the name Inermicapsifer rhodesiensis.

40-kR /-irradiated third-stage larvae of Oesophagostomum columbianum were used for the immunization of Kashmir Merino lambs. Male lambs (aged from 8 to 12 weeks) were immunized in two separate experiments by two doses of irradiated larvae, given 21 days apart, and subsequently challenged with normal larvae. Judging by the establishment of worms resulting from the challenge infections in the immunized and control groups of lambs in the two experiments, a high degree of immunity was shown to develop in young lambs vaccinated with 500, followed 21 days later with 2000, 40-kR irradiated larvae. Lambs from the immunized groups showed more nodules in the intestine, a high percentage of which were positive for histotrophic stages of O. columbianum, than did controls. The importance of this finding in relation to the possible use of a vaccine for the immuno-prophylaxis of oesophagostomiasis in sheep and other animals is discussed.

Proteocephalus pentastoma and Polyonchobothrium polypteri are redescribed from specimens from Polypterus spp. in the Sudan. Proteocephalus pentastoma is considered to be a valid species.

Neostrigea africana gen.et sp.nov., Neostrigea leiperi gen.et sp.nov. and Prostrigea arcuata gen.et sp.nov. are described from the intestine of Crocodilus niloticus, Kafue River, Northern Rhodesia. The three species are included in two new genera which are placed in a new family Neostrigeidae.

The position of the plerocercoid in the body cavity of rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus was investigated. It is shown that in 6 fish out of 880 fry examined at one month old, plerocercoids occurred in the pericardial cavity and dorsal muscle tissue whereas in 733 immature fish and 220 adult fish the plerocercoid was recovered only from the body cavity. The anomalous positions of the plerocercoids are discussed, and it is suggested that the small size of the rudd fry and the short duration of the plerocercoid in the body cavity prevented site recognition, and may have resulted in the anomalous positions.

One hundred and six trees suffering from Red Ring disease were examined and the distribution of worms plotted. The results indicate that infection can start in either the root system or in the upper part of the tree. The distribution of worms in 21 of the trees examined was consistent with the disease starting in the base of the tree; and 5 trees exhibited conditions consistent with infection starting in the upper part of the tree. Of thirteen trees, more than 20 years old, one was found to be infected in the top only; the other carried an infection in the roots and lower stem. It is concluded that the disease can start in either the top of a tree or in the root system but for reasons given in the text, it is not possible to say which is the more frequent.

Three species, and one variety, of the pseudophyllid genus Bothridium de Blainville, are known to occur in pythons. B. ovatum occurs in the African python (P. sebce): B. pythonis in the Indian python (P. molurus) and B. pythonis var minor in P. reticulatus, the Indo-Malayan python; while Maplestone and Southwell (1923, p. 317) record another species, B. ornatum from the Australasian python (P. spilotes var variegatus). The literature on this genus appears, so far, to have dealt only with morphology and taxonomies. Joyeux and Baer (1927, p. 126) describe the anatomy and relationships of B. ovatum, B. pythonis and B. pythonis var. minor. Braun (1894–1900, p. 1690) gives a brief description, accompanied by very detailed figures, of the anatomy of B. pythonis and also figures the embryonated ovum (pi. Iviii, fig. 8). This is the only figure of any developmental stage of the parasite which the writer has been able to discover. Southwell (1930, p. 58) records the worm from P. reticularis and P. molurus, in Bengal, Nepal and Ceylon, and summarises its anatomy. He also mentions its occurrence in a tiger which he thinks had been eating a python. No account of the life-cycle of any species of Bothridium appears to have been written. When, therefore, in February, 1932, some living Bothridium arrived in the Helminthology Department, it was resolved to discover how far its development resembled that of other better-known Psuedophyllids.